If you want one of the most exciting players in MLB The Show 26, the 94 OVR Spotlight Series Elly De La Cruz, this guide is for you. He’s the April “Lightning” player, celebrating a hot streak that included a 14-game hitting streak and 10 home runs before May. Unlocking him takes some grinding, but it’s completely free if you follow the steps.

How to Unlock Elly De La Cruz

Getting the 94 OVR Lightning Elly is all about completing the April Lightning Collection in Diamond Dynasty. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Complete the April Spotlight Drops

There are five Spotlight Drops for April. You need to play through each drop’s XP reward path to earn the required players:

Drop 1: Kevin McGonigle

Drop 2: Jo Adell

Drop 3: Jhoan Duran

Drop 4: Mike Trout

Drop 5: Ben Rice

These are all unsellable Spotlight cards, so you have to earn them through gameplay.

Step 2: Lock in the Collection

Once you’ve got all five players, go to Spotlight Collections in Diamond Dynasty and lock them into the April Lightning Collection. Instantly, you’ll get the 94 OVR Elly De La Cruz card for your roster.

Why This Elly Card Is Special

This 94 OVR Spotlight card is a major upgrade over the 81 OVR Gold Live Series version. He has excellent contact from both sides, elite power against left-handed pitching, solid fielding with a 95 Arm Strength, and aggressive baserunning that makes him a threat on the bases even though his speed rating is 73. His clutch rating is 96, making him perfect in high-leverage situations. He also comes with active quirks like Homebody, First-Pitch Hitter, Dead Red, Fighter, Rally Monkey, Night Player, and Table Setter, which give you subtle but important advantages in gameplay.

Tips for Faster Progress

Daily Challenges: Check the Spotlight program requirements every day. Small tasks like winning a game or completing limited innings can push you through XP paths faster.

Difficulty Bonus: Playing on All-Star or higher gives more XP per game, letting you progress quicker.

Mini Seasons: Use Mini Seasons to farm Parallel XP (PXP) while working on other rewards, like the 91 OVR Edgar Martinez, to maximize efficiency.

By following this method, Elly De La Cruz can become a game-changing shortstop for your Diamond Dynasty lineup. Focus on the Spotlight Drops, grind smart with Mini Seasons and difficulty bonuses, and you’ll have him ready for action in no time.